Water Cooler Ozone Sanitizing Control for Reservoir Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cabinet-style water dispensers face challenges in sanitizing their reservoirs and spigots due to non-airtight designs, contamination from bacteria and germs, and difficulties in ozone disinfection, especially with varying electrical supplies and the presence of bromates, as well as issues with ice rings protecting microbes.
Innovation Solution
A programmable ozone generator and diffuser system that adjusts timing, ozone levels, and air supply to effectively sanitize water dispensers, capable of operating with different electrical supplies and addressing bromates, while ensuring microbes trapped in ice rings are killed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-airtight reservoir design is used to allow water level equalization, then water dispensing function is improved, but bacterial contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
An air gap or air lock mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the reservoir interior and exterior environment. This allows air to pass through for water level equalization while preventing direct bacterial contamination. The air gap acts as a physical barrier that maintains the breathing function while blocking harmful factors.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual cleaning of the reservoir is performed, then bacterial contamination is reduced, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic self-cleaning functionality through integrated UV-C lighting and ozone generation mechanisms. The reservoir cleans itself periodically without requiring manual intervention, transforming a labor-intensive task into an automated self-maintaining process that reduces both time and effort investment.
Solution Approach 2:
Ozone gas is introduced into the reservoir to chemically oxidize and eliminate bacteria and organic contaminants. This chemical disinfection method provides rapid and thorough sanitization without requiring manual cleaning, effectively reducing bacterial contamination while minimizing time investment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If UV-C lighting is used for disinfection, then bacterial killing is improved, but electrical supply requirements become more specific
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical system is designed with universal voltage input capability that can accept various electrical supply standards (110V, 220V, 240V). The circuitry includes automatic voltage detection and adjustment mechanisms, allowing the UV-C lighting system to function across different geographical electrical standards without requiring separate designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical input parameters are made variable and adaptable through programmable voltage recognition and adjustment circuits. The system can detect the input voltage level and automatically adjust its operating parameters to optimize UV-C output while maintaining compatibility with different electrical supply standards.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If ozone is used for disinfection, then bacterial killing is improved, but bromates in water interfere with the process
Solution Approach 1:
A pre-oxidation stage is implemented before the main ozone disinfection process. This preliminary treatment removes or reduces bromates and other interfering substances through initial oxidation, preparing the water for more effective ozone disinfection in the subsequent stage. This sequential approach ensures that bromates do not interfere with the primary disinfection function.
5Temperature
If ice rings form in the reservoir, then water cooling is improved, but microbes are protected from disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic defrost cycles that temporarily melt the ice ring formation. During these intervals, UV-C light and ozone can penetrate areas previously shielded by ice. The cycle alternates between cooling phases (ice formation) and disinfection phases (ice melting), ensuring that microbes trapped in ice rings are eventually exposed to disinfection agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The disinfection system operates continuously or near-continuously, with UV-C lighting and ozone generation running throughout both ice formation and defrost periods. This continuous operation ensures that whenever ice rings melt or become permeable, disinfection agents are already present and active, maintaining uninterrupted microbial control despite temperature fluctuations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides an economical and efficient means to sanitize water dispensers by optimizing ozone generation and air supply, ensuring consistent disinfection across various geographical and operational conditions, effectively addressing contamination and ice ring-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a UV-C light source positioned to shine into the water in the reservoir that kills microbes in the water
Implementation Method 2
an ozone generator that produces ozone gas and that is programmable regarding the timing, amount, and duration of ozone generated
Implementation Method 3
a diffuser to diffuse the ozone gas into the water in the reservoir
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An apparatus for a programmable self sanitizing water dispenser apparatus with a digital controller as well as a programmable method for generating ozone for cleaning the reservoir and the water contained within it. The apparatus includes an anti-spill receiver that houses the controller and that can contain a ozone generator.